If I Had My Way (1940)

When a fellow bridge builder is killed in an accident, two of his co-workers bring his now orphaned daughter to New York to be adopted by relatives.

Director:

David Butler

Writers:

David Butler (story), William M. Conselman,

Stars:

Bing Crosby, Gloria Jean, Charles Winninger

Cast

Credited cast:
Bing Crosby	...	Buzz Blackwell
Gloria Jean	...	Patricia Johnson
Charles Winninger	...	Joe Johnson
El Brendel	...	Axel Swenson
Allyn Joslyn	...	Jarvis Johnson
Claire Dodd	...	Brenda Johnson
Moroni Olsen	...	Mr. Blair
Nana Bryant	...	Marian Johnson
Donald Woods	...	Fred Johnson
Kathryn Adams	...	Miss Corbett
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Julian Eltinge	...	Himself
Trixie Friganza	...	Herself
Grace La Rue	...	Herself
Eddie Leonard	...	Himself
Six Hits and a Miss	...	Themselves - Singing Group

Storyline

Bridge construction worker Fred Johnson is raising his twelve year old daughter after his wife's death, but when he is killed suddenly in an accident, responsibility falls to his two friends Buzz Blackwell and Axel Swenson. They bring young Pat to New York, but are given the brush by Fred's well-to-do brother and his socialite wife. They end up making contact with her elderly great-uncle, an unsuccessful vaudevillian, and his wife, who are only too happy to raise the youngster. Unfortunately the money that would make that possible is used by Axel to buy a failing Swedish restaurant drowning in red ink. In order to salvage their investment, Buzz comes up with a novel idea.

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Plot Keywords:

restaurant | uncle | construction worker | socialite | vaudevillian | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Musical

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1940 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

A Menina dos Meus Olhos

Filming Locations:

Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

82 min 93 min (Restored DVD edition)

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Marian Johnson: Buzz is right. Who wants to sit in a Swedish garden?
Axel Swenson: Swedes!

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Soundtracks

"I've Got Rings On My Fingers"
Music by Maurice Scott
Lyrics by R.P. Weston and Fred J. Barnes
Performed by Blanche Ring with Six Hits and a Miss

User Reviews

Julian Eltinge, 2 Other Credited Broadway Stars Cut from DVD

The TV prints of this film cut the "let's put the show on here" finale which included the brilliant star Julian Eltinge. Thus I was thrilled to acquire the new DVD so that at long last I could hear his fabled singing voice. His performance in the available silent Madame Behave had made me a dedicated fan, but finding more of his work has been frustrating. Alas -- Eltinge, along with prominently billed Broadway stars Trixie Friganza and Grace La Rue are STILL missing from the commercial DVD of this film, although he is mentioned in PR and on the box! We DO get to see Eddie Leonard (in black face!) and Blanche Ring (Does anyone actually view these films before promoting and selling them?)